19 March 2025

The Gunnedah Shire community is being asked to have their say about a proposed Bill to split the Hunter New England Health District into two separate districts.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller said the region had faced its share of challenges with health services, with a general practitioner shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the disappointing downscaling of the new hospital.

“In 2004, two health districts were combined to form the Hunter New England Health District,” Cr Fuller said.

“It is the largest health district in New South Wales and includes a population of close to one million people.

“I am advised it is the only rural health district that is administered from a metropolitan base.

“Gunnedah Shire Council intends to put in a submission to NSW Parliament about the Splitting of the Hunter New England Health District Bill, but we are also giving the community the opportunity to tell us their own thoughts and experiences. Unfortunately, there is only a short window of time here, so we urge people to take a look and have their say.”

The Gunnedah Shire Council survey about the Health Services Amendment (Splitting of the Hunter New England Health District) Bill 2025 is available through Gunnedah Shire’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LL5ZVRT

The survey will close at midnight on Sunday, 30 March, 2025.

People and organisations who would like to learn more about the Bill or put in their own submissions can do so through https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/Pages/inquiryprofile/health-services-amendment-splitting-of-the-hunter-new-england-health-district-bill-2025.aspx#tab-submissions

Submissions will close on 17 April, 2025.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au